Oklahoma artists showcased in new Guthrie exhibit

“Oklahoma Visionaries” is the latest exhibit at the Owens Art Place Museum, displaying creative works from self-taught artists throughout the state and nearby.

During an 11-month search, curators Pam Hodges, Steve Liggett and Wallace Owens contacted art organizations, galleries and collectors in 29 Oklahoma cities and in four states.

“Finding artists who, by nature, are unconcerned with being found was a challenge unique to this endeavor,” Owens and Liggett Studio said in a statement.

The exhibit, which opened Friday, features a wide variety of artistic styles, such as acrylics, ceramics, multimedia art, sculptures and sewn fabrics.

After just returning from Dallas Fashion Week, Oklahoma City-based artist Nicole Moan showed off her detailed ceramic corsets. That’s right, corsets made entirely from clay, which are wearable and surprisingly weigh only about 1 pound.

“I’ve made over 200 clay corsets now, and it’s been pretty fun because I’m always learning,” Moan said, who has to fashion 50 new looks by October for Dallas’ Fall 2024 Show.

At the center of the museum lies her clay corset titled “Exquisite,” which is three pieces of clay with many layers of pink paint, glaze and 24-karat gold.

Near the clean, gold ceramics at the museum’s heart is also a chrome, rusty robot made from salvaged parts. Bartlesvillebased artist Josh Waddell built the little guy, named KP-82, out of car lights, lamp cans, a heater, propane tank, Suzuki motorcycle forks, and more. Its chest is even plated with pieces from a retro vacuum cleaner that was owned by his great grandfather.

Further into the exhibit lies more pieces made from old parts, such as Joy Frangiosa’s assemblage, “The Journey”. The wood and metal piece tells the story of a Native American family that had to have their children assimilated with white folk.

“The government felt that they needed to board Native Americans in mission schools and assimilate them. Sadly, a lot of parents wanted their children to be educated in these mission schools because they saw the future of their tribe would not benefit without assimilating,” Frangiosa said.

“I love doing research. Learning about this piece touched my heart because I knew what it was like to actually be this,” she said, once a child living in a New Jersey orphanage.

Twenty artists are featured in the exhibit, including: Katrina Booth, Justin Brooke, Jan Calloway, M. Francine Campbell, Chayne Easky, Robert Fogel, Michel Knight, Charlie Larson, April McDaniel, Paul Medina, Nicole Montgomery, Beverly Moore, Lawrence Naff, Shaun Roberto, Ra Vashtar and Sonia Weidenfelder.

Many of the pieces on display are for sale for those wanting to support the artists, or just enjoy the art.

A series of “Artist’s Talks” will be presented the next few Sundays at the museum: OKC artist Lawrence Naff on March 24, 3-4 p.m.; OKC artist Paul Medina on April 7, 3-4 p.m.; and Edmond artist Bob Fogel on April 14, 3-4 p.m.

“This might be the best show that we’ve had here,” museum helper Carolyn Kornegay said.

Next month will mark 19 years since the Owens Art Place Museum began operation in their old, renovated church.

The “Oklahoma Visionaries” exhibit will be open until April 19. Known as the only fine arts museum in Logan County, Owens Art Place Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and on Sundays.